The Reading / Listening - Manuka Honey - Level 3

Manuka honey is world famous for its taste and quality. It is produced by European honey bees feeding on the nectar of the manuka tree. This tree grows throughout New Zealand and in some parts of Australia. For over a decade, there has been a trademark battle between the two countries. The New Zealand honey industry wanted manuka to become a trademark. This would mean only New Zealand beekeepers could use the word "manuka". However, Australia said this was wrong because it also produced manuka honey. The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decided that no one could trademark the word "manuka". This means Australian beekeepers can use the word.

The word "manuka" is from the Maori language. New Zealand beekeepers said because of this, no other country could use the word "manuka" for its honey. They said manuka was a "treasured" NZ species. New Zealand's manuka beekeepers said the trademark decision was disappointing. They said New Zealand would continue to fight to protect its honey. In Australia, the manuka tree is called the "tea tree". The Australian Manuka Honey Association said it was "delighted" with the decision. It said: "Our product has a long history of being recognized as manuka honey. It is produced like the NZ product is, and it also offers the [health benefits] that consumers value so highly."

Try the same news story at these easier levels:

    Manuka Honey - Level 0,  Manuka Honey - Level 1   or  Manuka Honey - Level 2

Sources
  • https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/22/new-zealand-loses-fight-over-manuka-honey-trademark
  • https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-21/new-zealand-honey-producers-fail-to-secure-manuka-trade-mark
  • https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/132106630/battle-for-nz-to-have-trademark-rights-for-mnuka-honey-unsuccessful


Make sure you try all of the online activities for this reading and listening - There are dictations, multiple choice activities, drag and drop activities, sentence jumbles, which word activities, text reconstructions, spelling, gap fills and a whole lot more. Please enjoy :-)

Warm-ups

1. HONEY: Students walk around the class and talk to other students about honey. Change partners often and share your findings.
2. CHAT: In pairs / groups, talk about these topics or words from the article. What will the article say about them? What can you say about these words and your life?
       honey / world famous / bees / a decade / trademark / New Zealand / Australia / word
       Maori / language / species / decision / disappointing / delighted / history / health
Have a chat about the topics you liked. Change topics and partners frequently.
3. SUGAR: Students A strongly believe sugar is better than honey; Students B strongly believe honey is better than sugar. Change partners again and talk about your conversations.
4. QUALITY: What are the best quality foods? Why? Complete this table with your partner(s). Change partners often and share what you wrote.

 

What?

Why?

Honey

 

 

Cheese

 

 

Pizza

 

 

Ice cream

 

 

Chocolate

 

 

Coffee

 

 
MY e-BOOK
ESL resource book with copiable worksheets and handouts - 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers / English teachers
See a sample

5. BATTLE: Spend one minute writing down all of the different words you associate with the word "battle". Share your words with your partner(s) and talk about them. Together, put the words into different categories.
6. TREES: Rank these with your partner. Put the best trees at the top. Change partners often and share your rankings.

  • Manuka
  • Coconut
  • Apple
  • Maple
  • Wisteria
  • Palm
  • Cherry
  • Rubber

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

      1. taste a. A sugary water in flowers that bees use to make into honey.
      2. quality b. The feeling of flavour in the mouth when you eat or drink something.
      3. feeding c. Getting food from or giving food to.
      4. nectar d. A period of ten years.
      5. throughout e. A person who owns bees, especially for their honey.
      6. decade f. How good or bad something is.
      7. beekeeper g. From beginning to end of an event or period of time.

    Paragraph 2

      8. species h. Keep safe from harm or injury.
      9. decision i. A person who buys something.
      10. disappointing j. A good thing we get from doing something, or from something.
      11. protect k. A small feeling of sadness because something did not meet our hopes.
      12. delighted l. Feeling or showing great pleasure.
      13. benefit m. A group of living things that are of the same kind and can produce babies or new things.
      14. consumer n. A conclusion reached after thinking about things.

 

Before reading / listening

1. TRUE / FALSE: Read the headline. Guess if 1-8 below are true (T) or false (F).

  1. The article says manuka is the world's most famous honey.     T / F
  2. The manuka tree grows all over Australia.     T / F
  3. Two countries have been arguing about honey for over 10 years.     T / F
  4. It was decided that Australian beekeepers can use the word "manuka".    T / F
  5. The word "manuka" is from an aboriginal language in Australia.     T / F
  6. New Zealand beekeepers said they were OK with a decision.     T / F
  7. Australia has produced manuka honey for just a few decades.     T / F
  8. Australian manuka honey is like New Zealand manuka honey.     T / F

2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

  1. famous
  2. produced
  3. throughout
  4. industry
  5. Australian
  6. country
  7. disappointing
  8. protect
  9. consumers
  10. highly
  1. Aussie
  2. business
  3. customers
  4. all over
  5. greatly
  6. well known
  7. safeguard
  8. nation
  9. made
  10. saddening

3. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

  1. Manuka honey is world
  2. honey bees feeding
  3. This tree grows
  4. For over a
  5. no one could trademark
  6. beekeepers said the trademark decision
  7. fight to protect
  8. it was "delighted"
  9. Our product has a long
  10. the health benefits that consumers
  1. throughout New Zealand
  2. with the decision
  3. decade
  4. on the nectar
  5. history
  6. value so highly
  7. famous
  8. its honey
  9. the word "manuka"
  10. was disappointing

Gap fill

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
decade
beekeepers
means
taste
industry
decided
feeding
wrong

Manuka honey is world famous for its (1) _____________________ and quality. It is produced by European honey bees (2) _____________________ on the nectar of the manuka tree. This tree grows throughout New Zealand and in some parts of Australia. For over a (3) _____________________, there has been a trademark battle between the two countries. The New Zealand honey (4) _____________________ wanted manuka to become a trademark. This would mean only New Zealand (5) _____________________ could use the word "manuka". However, Australia said this was (6) _____________________ because it also produced manuka honey. The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand (7) _____________________ that no one could trademark the word "manuka". This (8) _____________________ Australian beekeepers can use the word.

Put these words into the spaces in the paragraph below.
species
delighted
language
highly
protect
other
history
decision

The word "manuka" is from the Maori (9) _____________________. New Zealand beekeepers said because of this, no (10) _____________________ country could use the word "manuka" for its honey. They said manuka was a "treasured" NZ (11) _____________________. New Zealand's manuka beekeepers said the trademark (12) _____________________ was disappointing. They said New Zealand would continue to fight to (13) _____________________ its honey. In Australia, the manuka tree is called the "tea tree". The Australian Manuka Honey Association said it was "(14) _____________________" with the decision. It said: "Our product has a long (15) _____________________ of being recognized as manuka honey. It is produced like the NZ product is, and it also offers the [health benefits] that consumers value so (16) _____________________."

Listening — Guess the answers. Listen to check.

1) Manuka honey is world famous for its ______
     a.  tasty and qualify
     b.  tasty and quality
     c.  taste and quality
     d.  taste end qualify
2)  This tree grows throughout New Zealand and in ______ Australia
     a.  sum parts of
     b.  some parts off
     c.  some parts of
     d.  sum parts off
3)  The New Zealand honey industry wanted manuka to ______
     a.  became a trademark
     b.  become a trademark
     c.  becomes a trademark
     d.  beckon a trademark
4)  However, Australia said this was wrong because it also ______
     a.  product manuka honey
     b.  produced manuka honey
     c.  produce manuka honey
     d.  prod used manuka honey
5)  New Zealand decided that no one could ______
     a.  trademark the word
     b.  trademark a word
     c.  trademark there word
     d.  tirade mark the word

6)  They said manuka was a ______
     a.  "treasured" NZ species
     b.  "treasured" NZ specials
     c.  "treasured" NZ speed sis
     d.  "treasured" NZ specimens
7)  New Zealand would continue to fight to ______
     a.  project its honey
     b.  protect its honey
     c.  inject its honey
     d.  pretend its honey
8)  The Australian Manuka Honey Association said it was "delighted" ______
     a.  wither the decision
     b.  within the decision
     c.  with a decision
     d.  with the decision
9)  Our product has a long history of being recognized ______
     a.  has manuka honey
     b.  was manuka honey
     c.  as manuka honey
     d.  is manuka honey
10)  it also offers the [health benefits] that consumers ______
     a.  value such highly
     b.  valve so highly
     c.  values so highly
     d.  value so highly

Listening — Listen and fill in the gaps

Manuka honey is world famous for its (1) ____________________. It is produced by European honey bees feeding on the nectar of the manuka tree. This (2) ____________________ New Zealand and in some parts of Australia. For (3) ____________________, there has been a trademark battle between the two countries. The New Zealand honey industry wanted manuka (4) ____________________ trademark. This would mean only New Zealand beekeepers could use the word "manuka". However, Australia said (5) ____________________ because it also produced manuka honey. The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decided that no one could (6) ____________________ "manuka". This means Australian beekeepers can use the word.

The word "manuka" is from the Maori language. New Zealand beekeepers said (7) ____________________, no other country could use the word "manuka" for its honey. They said manuka (8) ____________________ NZ species. New Zealand's manuka beekeepers said the trademark decision was disappointing. They said New Zealand would continue to (9) ____________________ its honey. In Australia, the manuka tree is called the "tea tree". The Australian Manuka Honey Association said it was (10) ____________________ decision. It said: "Our product has a long history of being recognized as manuka honey. (11) ____________________ like the NZ product is, and it also offers the [health benefits] that consumers (12) ____________________."

Comprehension questions

  1. What is manuka honey world famous for?
  2. What do European honey bees feed on?
  3. For how long have Australia and New Zealand been fighting?
  4. What did NZ beekeepers want to do with the word "manuka"?
  5. Who did an Intellectual Property Office say could use the word?
  6. What language is the word "manuka" from?
  7. What did New Zealand's beekeepers call the decision?
  8. What will New Zealand's beekeepers continue to do?
  9. How did Australia's beekeepers feel about the decision?
  10. What is it about manuka honey that consumers highly value?

Multiple choice quiz

1) What is manuka honey world famous for?
a) its smell and colour
b) its quality and taste
c) its smell and taste
d) its quality and colour
2) What do European honey bees feed on?
a) water
b) cheese
c) pollen
d) nectar
3) For how long have Australia and New Zealand been fighting?
a) over a decade
b) 10 years
c) 9 years
d) less than a year
4) What did NZ beekeepers want to do with the word "manuka"?
a) translate it
b) put it in a dictionary
c) trademark it
d) learn it
5) Who did an Intellectual Property Office say could use the word?
a) European beekeepers
b) Australian beekeepers
c) honey bees
d) honey makers

6) What language is the word "manuka" from?
a) Maori
b) French
c) Fijian
d) Tongan
7) What did New Zealand's beekeepers call the decision?
a) quick
b) the right one
c) disappointing
d) wrong
8) What will New Zealand's beekeepers continue to do?
a) fight
b) make candles
c) breed bees
d) eat honey
9) How did Australia's beekeepers feel about the decision?
a) delighted
b) sad
c) angry
d) confused
10) What is it about manuka honey that consumers highly value?
a) the price
b) its taste
c) the bees
d) health benefits

Role play

Role  A – Coconut Trees
You think coconut trees are the best trees. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their trees aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): palm trees, apple trees or rubber trees.

Role  B – Palm Trees
You think palm trees are the best trees. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their trees aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): coconut trees, apple trees or rubber trees.

Role  C – Apple Trees
You think apple trees are the best trees. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their trees aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): palm trees, coconut trees or rubber trees.

Role  D – Rubber Trees
You think rubber trees are the best trees. Tell the others three reasons why. Tell them why their trees aren't as good. Also, tell the others which is the least useful of these (and why): palm trees, apple trees or coconut trees.

After reading / listening

1. WORD SEARCH: Look in your dictionary / computer to find collocates, other meanings, information, synonyms … for the words...

'honey'

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • and 'bee'.

  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________
  • ________________

    • • Share your findings with your partners.

    • Make questions using the words you found.

    • Ask your partner / group your questions.

    2. ARTICLE QUESTIONS: Look back at the article and write down some questions you would like to ask the class about the text.

    •Share your questions with other classmates / groups. •Ask your partner / group your questions.

    3. GAP FILL: In pairs / groups, compare your answers to this exercise. Check your answers. Talk about the words from the activity. Were they new, interesting, worth learning…?

    4. VOCABULARY: Circle any words you do not understand. In groups, pool unknown words and use dictionaries to find their meanings.

    5. TEST EACH OTHER: Look at the words below. With your partner, try to recall how they were used in the text:

    • world
    • nectar
    • parts
    • only
    • wrong
    • decided
    • language
    • species
    • disappointing
    • fight
    • long
    • health

    Student survey

    Write five GOOD questions about this topic in the table. Do this in pairs. Each student must write the questions on his / her own paper. When you have finished, interview other students. Write down their answers.

    (Please look at page 12 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

    Discussion - Manuka Honey

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    1. What did you think when you read the headline?
    2. What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'honey'?
    3. What do you know about trademarks?
    4. What do you think of bees?
    5. What do you think of honey?
    6. What do beekeepers do?
    7. Should only NZ beekeepers be allowed to use the word "manuka"?
    8. What do you think of protecting intellectual property?
    9. Are bees the most useful insects?
    10. What advice do you have for New Zealand's beekeepers?

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    1. Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
    2. What do you think of when you hear the word 'bee'?
    3. What do you think about what you read?
    4. What do you think of trademarks?
    5. What do you know about bees?
    6. What trees are special in your country?
    7. What was the last thing that you were delighted with?
    8. What are the health benefits of honey?
    9. What can we use honey for?
    10. What questions would you like to ask beekeepers?

    Discussion — Write your own questions

    STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B)

    (a) ________________

    (b) ________________

    (c) ________________

    (d) ________________

    (e) ________________

    STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A)

    (f) ________________

    (g) ________________

    (h) ________________

    (i) ________________

    (j) ________________

    Language — Cloze (Gap-fill)

    Manuka honey is world (1) ____ for its taste and quality. It is produced by European honey bees feeding on the (2) ____ of the manuka tree. This tree grows throughout New Zealand and in some parts of Australia. For over a decade, there has been a trademark battle (3) ____ the two countries. The New Zealand honey industry wanted manuka to become a trademark. This would (4) ____ only New Zealand beekeepers could use the word "manuka". However, Australia said this was wrong because it also produced manuka honey. The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decided that no (5) ____ could trademark the word "manuka". This means Australian beekeepers can use (6) ____ word.

    The word "manuka" is from the Maori language. New Zealand beekeepers said because of (7) ____, no other country could use the word "manuka" for its honey. They said manuka was a "treasured" NZ species. New Zealand's manuka beekeepers said the trademark (8) ____ was disappointing. They said New Zealand would continue to fight to (9) ____ its honey. In Australia, the manuka tree is called the "tea tree". The Australian Manuka Honey Association said it was "delighted" (10) ____ the decision. It said: "Our product has a long history of (11) ____ recognized as manuka honey. It is produced like the NZ product is, and it also offers the [health benefits] that consumers value (12) ____ highly."

    Which of these words go in the above text?

    1. (a)     fame     (b)     famously     (c)     famous     (d)     fames    
    2. (a)     nectar     (b)     roots     (c)     branches     (d)     leaves    
    3. (a)     to     (b)     between     (c)     fight     (d)     among    
    4. (a)     means     (b)     meaning     (c)     meant     (d)     mean    
    5. (a)     ones     (b)     once     (c)     one     (d)     only    
    6. (a)     a     (b)     the     (c)     there     (d)     big    
    7. (a)     this     (b)     them     (c)     others     (d)     another    
    8. (a)     decider     (b)     decide     (c)     deciding     (d)     decision    
    9. (a)     project     (b)     profit     (c)     protect     (d)     inject    
    10. (a)     without     (b)     within     (c)     wither     (d)     with    
    11. (a)     been     (b)     being     (c)     was     (d)     is    
    12. (a)     so     (b)     such     (c)     with     (d)     by

    Spelling

    Paragraph 1

    1. Manuka honey is world asfmou
    2. It is epcdrudo by European honey bees
    3. This tree grows horuguthot New Zealand
    4. For over a adeecd
    5. The New Zealand honey utrindsy
    6. cniatuelllet property

    Paragraph 2

    1. "manuka" is from the Maori ualgaeng
    2. a "treasured" NZ esipesc
    3. the trademark decision was siopnidgaitpn
    4. continue to fight to ptoetrc its honey
    5. it was ehdteilgd with the decision
    6. health eifbtesn

    Put the text back together

    (...)  by European honey bees feeding on the nectar of the manuka tree. This tree grows throughout
    (...)  that no one could trademark the word "manuka". This means Australian beekeepers can use the word.
    (...)  like the NZ product is, and it also offers the [health benefits] that consumers value so highly."
    (  1  ) Manuka honey is world famous for its taste and quality. It is produced
    (...)  The word "manuka" is from the Maori language. New Zealand beekeepers said because of this, no other
    (...)  wrong because it also produced manuka honey. The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decided
    (...)  continue to fight to protect its honey. In Australia, the manuka tree is called the
    (...)  species. New Zealand's manuka beekeepers said the trademark decision was disappointing. They said New Zealand would
    (...)  product has a long history of being recognized as manuka honey. It is produced
    (...)  trademark. This would mean only New Zealand beekeepers could use the word "manuka". However, Australia said this was
    (...)  country could use the word "manuka" for its honey. They said manuka was a "treasured" NZ
    (...)  "tea tree". The Australian Manuka Honey Association said it was "delighted" with the decision. It said: "Our
    (...)  New Zealand and in some parts of Australia. For over a decade, there has been a trademark
    (...)  battle between the two countries. The New Zealand honey industry wanted manuka to become a

    Put the words in the right order

    1. famous   honey   Manuka   for   taste   .   world   its   is
    2. nectar   tree   .   the   on   Feeding   manuka   the   of
    3. battle   between   countries   .   A   the   trademark   two
    4. could   word   No   one   the   "manuka"   .   trademark
    5. This   the   can   beekeepers   means   Australian   word   .   use
    6. from   the   word   The   language   .   "manuka"   Maori   is
    7. NZ   species   .   a   said   treasured   manuka   They   was
    8. trademark  was  decision  said  the  Manuka beekeepers  disappointing .
    9. continue   would   New   said   Zealand   They   fight   .   to
    10. value   consumers   The   that   so   health   benefits   highly   .

    Circle the correct word (20 pairs)

    Manuka honey is world famously / famous for its taste and quality. It is produced by / at European honey bees feeding on the nectar of the manuka tree. This tree grows / growing throughout New Zealand and in some parts of / at Australia. For over a decade, there has been a trademark battle between the three / two countries. The New Zealand honey industry wanted manuka to become a trademark. This would mean / means only New Zealand beekeepers could use the word "manuka". However, Australia said this was wrongly / wrong because it also produced manuka honey. The Intellectual Property Office of New Zealand decide / decided that no one could trademark the word / vocabulary "manuka". This means Australian beekeepers can use the / a word.

    The word "manuka" is from the Maori language. New Zealand beekeepers said because of where / this, no other country could use the word "manuka" for its / that's honey. They said manuka was a "treasured" NZ specials / species. New Zealand's manuka beekeepers said the trademark derision / decision was disappointing. They said New Zealand would continue for / to fight to protect its honey. In Australia, the manuka tree is calling / called the "tea tree". The Australian Manuka Honey Association said it was "delighted / delightful" with the decision. It said: "Our product has a long / length history of being recognized as manuka honey. It is produced like / such the NZ product is, and it also offers the [health benefits] that consumers value so lowly / highly."

    Talk about the connection between each pair of words in italics, and why the correct word is correct. Look up the definition of new words.

    Insert the vowels (a, e, i, o, u)

    M_n_k_  h_n_y  _s  w_rld  f_m__s  f_r  _ts  t_st_  _nd  q__l_ty.  _t  _s  pr_d_c_d  by  __r_p__n  h_n_y  b__s  f__d_ng  _n  th_  n_ct_r  _f  th_  m_n_k_  tr__.  Th_s  tr__  gr_ws  thr__gh__t  N_w  Z__l_nd  _nd  _n  s_m_  p_rts  _f  __str_l__.  F_r  _v_r  _  d_c_d_,  th_r_  h_s  b__n  _  tr_d_m_rk  b_ttl_  b_tw__n  th_  tw_  c__ntr__s.  Th_  N_w  Z__l_nd  h_n_y  _nd_stry  w_nt_d  m_n_k_  t_  b_c_m_  _  tr_d_m_rk.  Th_s  w__ld  m__n  _nly  N_w  Z__l_nd  b__k__p_rs  c__ld  _s_  th_  w_rd  "m_n_k_".  H_w_v_r,  __str_l__  s__d  th_s  w_s  wr_ng  b_c__s_  _t  _ls_  pr_d_c_d  m_n_k_  h_n_y.  Th_  _nt_ll_ct__l  Pr_p_rty  _ff_c_  _f  N_w  Z__l_nd  d_c_d_d  th_t  n_  _n_  c__ld  tr_d_m_rk  th_  w_rd  "m_n_k_".  Th_s  m__ns  __str_l__n  b__k__p_rs  c_n  _s_  th_  w_rd.

    Th_  w_rd  "m_n_k_"  _s  fr_m  th_  M__r_  l_ng__g_.  N_w  Z__l_nd  b__k__p_rs  s__d  b_c__s_  _f  th_s,  n_  _th_r  c__ntry  c__ld  _s_  th_  w_rd  "m_n_k_"  f_r  _ts  h_n_y.  Th_y  s__d  m_n_k_  w_s  _  "tr__s_r_d"  NZ  sp_c__s.  N_w  Z__l_nd's  m_n_k_  b__k__p_rs  s__d  th_  tr_d_m_rk  d_c_s__n  w_s  d_s_pp__nt_ng.  Th_y  s__d  N_w  Z__l_nd  w__ld  c_nt_n__  t_  f_ght  t_  pr_t_ct  _ts  h_n_y.  _n  __str_l__,  th_  m_n_k_  tr__  _s  c_ll_d  th_  "t__  tr__".  Th_  __str_l__n  M_n_k_  H_n_y  _ss_c__t__n  s__d  _t  w_s  "d_l_ght_d"  w_th  th_  d_c_s__n.  _t  s__d:  "__r  pr_d_ct  h_s  _  l_ng  h_st_ry  _f  b__ng  r_c_gn_z_d  _s  m_n_k_  h_n_y.  _t  _s  pr_d_c_d  l_k_  th_  NZ  pr_d_ct  _s,  _nd  _t  _ls_  _ff_rs  th_  [h__lth  b_n_f_ts]  th_t  c_ns_m_rs  v_l__  s_  h_ghly."

    Punctuate the text and add capitals

    manuka honey is world famous for its taste and quality it is produced by european honey bees feeding on the nectar of the manuka tree this tree grows throughout new zealand and in some parts of australia for over a decade there has been a trademark battle between the two countries the new zealand honey industry wanted manuka to become a trademark this would mean only new zealand beekeepers could use the word manuka however australia said this was wrong because it also produced manuka honey the intellectual property office of new zealand decided that no one could trademark the word manuka this means australian beekeepers can use the word

    the word manuka is from the maori language new zealand beekeepers said because of this no other country could use the word manuka for its honey they said manuka was a treasured nz species new zealands manuka beekeepers said the trademark decision was disappointing they said new zealand would continue to fight to protect its honey in australia the manuka tree is called the tea tree the australian manuka honey association said it was delighted with the decision it said our product has a long history of being recognized as manuka honey it is produced like the nz product is and it also offers the health benefits that consumers value so highly

    Put a slash (/) where the spaces are

    Manukahoneyisworldfamousforitstasteandquality.ItisproducedbyE
    uropeanhoneybeesfeedingonthenectarofthemanukatree.Thistreegr
    owsthroughoutNewZealandandinsomepartsofAustralia.Foroverade
    cade,therehasbeenatrademarkbattlebetweenthetwocountries.The
    NewZealandhoneyindustrywantedmanukatobecomeatrademark.Th
    iswouldmeanonlyNewZealandbeekeeperscouldusetheword"manuk
    a".However,Australiasaidthiswaswrongbecauseitalsoproducedman
    ukahoney.TheIntellectualPropertyOfficeofNewZealanddecidedthat
    noonecouldtrademarktheword"manuka".ThismeansAustralianbeek
    eeperscanusetheword.Theword"manuka"isfromtheMaorilanguage.
    NewZealandbeekeeperssaidbecauseofthis,noothercountrycoulduse
    theword"manuka"foritshoney.Theysaidmanukawasa"treasured"NZ
    species.NewZealand'smanukabeekeeperssaidthetrademarkdecisio
    nwasdisappointing.TheysaidNewZealandwouldcontinuetofighttopr
    otectitshoney.InAustralia,themanukatreeiscalledthe"teatree".TheA
    ustralianManukaHoneyAssociationsaiditwas"delighted"withthedeci
    sion.Itsaid:"Ourproducthasalonghistoryofbeingrecognizedasmanu
    kahoney.ItisproducedliketheNZproductis,anditalsooffersthe[health
    benefits]thatconsumersvaluesohighly."

    Free writing

    Write about manuka honey for 10 minutes. Comment on your partner’s paper.

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    Academic writing

    Honey is better than sugar.  Discuss.

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    Homework

    1. VOCABULARY EXTENSION: Choose several of the words from the text. Use a dictionary or Google’s search field (or another search engine) to build up more associations / collocations of each word.
    2. INTERNET: Search the Internet and find out more about this news story. Share what you discover with your partner(s) in the next lesson.
    3. HONEY: Make a poster about honey. Show your work to your classmates in the next lesson. Did you all have similar things?
    4. BEES: Write a magazine article about all of us doing things to help honeybees. Include imaginary interviews with people who are for and against this.
    Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Write down any new words and expressions you hear from your partner(s).
    5. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT? Write a newspaper article about the next stage in this news story. Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next lesson. Give each other feedback on your articles.
    6. LETTER: Write a letter to an expert on honey. Ask him/her three questions about it. Give him/her three of your opinions on honey. Read your letter to your partner(s) in your next lesson. Your partner(s) will answer your questions.

    A Few Additional Activities for Students

    Ask your students what they have read, seen or heard about this news in their own language. Students are likely to / may have have encountered this news in their L1 and therefore bring a background knowledge to the classroom.

    Get students to role play different characters from this news story.

    Ask students to keep track of this news and revisit it to discuss in your next class.

    Ask students to male predictions of how this news might develop in the next few days or weeks, and then revisit and discuss in a future class.

    Ask students to write a follow-up story to this news.

    Students role play a journalist and someone who witnessed or was a part of this news. Perhaps they could make a video of the interview.

    Ask students to keep a news journal in English and add this story to their thoughts.

    Also...

    Buy my 1,000 Ideas and Activities for Language Teachers eBook. It has hundreds of ideas, activity templates, reproducible activities for:

    • News
    • Warm ups
    • Pre-reading / Post-reading
    • Using headlines
    • Working with words
    • While-reading / While-listening
    • Moving from text to speech
    • Post-reading / Post-listening
    • Discussions
    • Using opinions
    • Plans
    • Language
    • Using lists
    • Using quotes
    • Task-based activities
    • Role plays
    • Using the central characters in the article
    • Using themes from the news
    • Homework

    Buy my book

    $US 9.99

    Answers

    (Please look at page 26 of the PDF to see a photocopiable example of this activity.)

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